JPIICD Saints slay Blue Knights

THE John Paul II College of Davao (JPIICD) Saints slain the Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights, 82-74, to post their second win in the resumption of the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (Dacs) Collegiate Sportsfest 2012 basketball competition at the Ateneo Matina Sports Complex on Sunday.

JPIICD's Safarodin Abas waxed hot from the three-point arc, burying seven treys out of 10 attempts. He finished with 26 points as teammate Michael Cañete added 14.

Abas, in an interview, said he was glad that his practice paid off as he converted most of his triple attempts.
"Lipay ko kay nakatabang ko sa among team pero dili kaayo ko particular sa akong stats kay ang importante ra gyud nga makadaug mi (I'm happy to have helped the team. I really don't mind about my personal stats though, winning the game was most important)," Abas added.

The Howard Delgado-mentored JPIICD pulled away with a 70-60 lead behind Abas and Cañete's charge but Ateneo's Paolo Dailisan surged a rally with his six treys to come close, 72-73, only one minute and 30 seconds left in the game.

JPIICD, however, tightened its defense and foiled Ateneo attempts down the stretch to secure the win.

Ateneo head coach Miggy Solitaria, meanwhile, admitted he is still adjusting with the team as it was only the fourth day that he mentored Ateneo's collegiate squad.

Solitaria said, "We hope to get our rhythm so we can qualify to the semi-finals."

In other matches, the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Crusaders routed the Holy Cross College of Calinan, 89-55, while the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) crushed Gabriel Taborin College of Davao (GTCD), 85-40.

San Pedro College (SPC) shared the limelight by beating Assumption College of Davao (ACD), 87-65.

In the distaff side, HCDC shipped Ateneo, 57-35, while SPC overwhelmed ACD, 52-11.